Think-tank proposes 'firewall' at Mepa

A report laying down a blueprint for environmental reform is calling for a clear "firewall" to be built between the government of the day and Mepa in a bid to restore the credibility of this all-important environmental regulator.

The document, presented yesterday to the Prime Minister by the Today Public Policy Institute - an independent think-tank set up last year, represents a veritable nationwide environmental action plan. Nonetheless, as expected, the lion's share is taken up by proposals to reform Mepa.

It comes in the wake of Lawrence Gonzi's declaration that he would be shortly opening a broad public consultation on the reform of the authority, a central promise in his party's electoral manifesto.

With regard to the main theme of increasing transparency and confidence in the authority's proceedings, the report is suggesting a radical reform in the way people are appointed to the authority's boards. Rather than the large number of political appointees there is presently, the board members should be largely chosen from a list of people suggested directly by the representative bodies of civil societies - from unions to employers' bodies, academics and NGOs, the report proposes.

"This does not mean that the civil society representatives have to be 'experts'... What is needed are men or women of diverse backgrounds who are capable of weighing up the merits of a case - advised and guided on the technicalities by professionals - and can reach a considered judgement...," the report says.

The Prime Minister will obviously be able to vet or even reject any of the nominees but, once chosen, all the appointments would be scrutinised by Parliament's standing committee on development planning.

One public officer to represent the government will be appointed to a tied post on the board.

Although the system would not apply to the chairmen of the boards, even here the report suggests that these should be appointed by the Prime Minister in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition rather than have direct political appointees. When there is no agreement on the people proposed, the reasons for the objections should be made public and the President then invited to resolve the issue.

The authority's chairman would assume an executive role, taking on the functions of both the present director-general (who is responsible for the technical and professional day-to-day running of the authority) and of the present chairman who operates on a part-time basis, chairing the main board's sittings, making major decisions and being responsible for overseeing all aspects of planning and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister said, when presented with the document, that he would be studying the proposals carefully.

During a press conference held shortly after the meeting with Dr Gonzi, the document's lead author, Martin Scicluna, said he got the impression that the Prime Minister was favourable to the majority of the proposals but sensed that he was not quite on board with regard to the reform of the recommended system of appointments.

"I think that he probably feels it (the proposal) will give him more problems than solutions," he said when speaking about the meeting with Dr Gonzi. "On the other hand, I feel that it would benefit transparency and make the process open to everyone... There would be no groups that are preferred."

Mr Scicluna stressed that now was the time to get it right with environmental reform, particularly as the Prime Minister is taking over the general direction of the environment and the €300 million in EU structural funds allocated to Malta for the environment between 2007 and 2013 provide a unique opportunity that, if missed, will probably not present itself again in the same way.